Everyone gets in a bad mood once in a while, whether from a bad day at work or when someone makes you angry. However, being in a bad mood for long periods can be a symptom of depression or a sign that you have a problem managing your anger. Finding ways to break your bad mood can save you from ruining relationships with your loved ones and give you a sense of calm.
Analyze Your Mood
If you are noticing yourself getting more irritable than usual, ask yourself questions about why that is. See if anything changed in your life recently to contribute to how you are feeling now. Maybe someone said something to you that hurt your feelings, or you have a negative thought in your head.
Try to see the situation from all sides. If your friend tells you something and it was something you did not want to hear, would you say the same thing to your friend if the situation was in reverse? Typically, our initial interpretation of a situation may not be correct until we think more clearly about it.
Find Positive Information
Watching the news nonstop can be a drag on your mood. Especially living day by day during the COVID-19 pandemic, we see a lot of negative and even frightening news stories.
Instead of doom scrolling through your social media feed or looking up more bad news, find positivity to read instead. You can do your own research about inspirational people in the world or even in your community. It also helps to think about a positive memory to make you smile or look through old photos with your friends or family.
Talk About It
Reach out to a loved one for support. Talk to someone who will hear you out and not judge you or be quick to interrupt. Let that person know that you need help and are having trouble calming down. Spending some time with people you like and care about can help brighten your mood.
If you are not ready to talk about why you are upset, visualize yourself talking to someone about what is bothering you. Talk about what happened, how you feel, and what you feel like doing that you know you should not. By talking your feelings out, you can let those negative feelings move past you and go forward with more positive emotions.
Being in a bad mood is common as we cannot be happy all the time. However, being in a bad mood for long periods can have a negative effect on your work, relationships, and life. By reaching out for support and finding positive aspects in your life, your mood will lighten. At Alta Loma, we understand the importance of regulating your mood, and we are here to help you. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can offer you individualized therapy, life and coping skills education, therapeutic recreational activities, and more. Call us at (866) 457-3843 for more information.
